Cerium LIII-Edge XAS Investigation of the Structure of Crystalline and Amorphous Cerium Oxides

Cerium oxide solid samples were prepared via precipitation from aqueous solution of hydrous cerium(III) nitrate in the presence of different percentages of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as model corrosion inhibiting coatings materials for aluminum alloys. X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Ce LIII-edge was applied for the characterization of crystalline anhydrous CeO2, nanocrystalline hydrous CeO2, nanocrystalline CeO2 sample I precipitated in the presence of H2O2, and an amorphous CeO2 sample II precipitated at a higher H2O2 concentration. An analysis by X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) for cerium oxides did not indicate a broad variation in cerium valence state in the precipitated samples as compared to anhydrous CeO2. Furthermore, XANES analysis revealed a decrease in the intensity of the white line peaks for the precipitated samples relative to those in anhydrous CeO2. The EXAFS spectra of the oxides showed that H2O2 reduced the precipitate's particle diameter and bulk crystallinity. Growth i...